The Regressed Son of a Duke is an Assassin

Six in total.

None had fled or hidden anywhere.

Since confirming took precedence over dealing with them, I hastily approached with my carriage.

[I thought you’d spare at least one. What’s the point of the mask if everyone’s to die?]

Did I wear it because I wanted to?

Even though she was under a sleep spell, she should have woken up by now, is what I thought as I hastily wore the mask and came here.

However,

“…?”

I hadn’t expected her to still be asleep.

Out of curiosity, I placed my hand over her face.

“…”

She was sleeping so deeply that even if someone picked her up, she wouldn’t notice.

It seemed like she had been sleepless for several days from the start.

As if she were catching up on all the missed sleep until now.

Even after removing the gag from her mouth and untying her limbs, she remained motionless.

“Sigh…”

I exhaled deeply, throwing away my mask and took a breath.

But there was no time to leisurely admire her sleeping face.

Let’s just get it done quickly and go back.

I carefully laid Luna’s body down.

Then, I unbuttoned two buttons of her shirt to expose her chest.

Placing my fingers on top, I closed my eyes.

“Hmm…”

I cast the 6th-level general spell ‘Searching’.

A magic spell that injects mana into the opponent’s body to check their physical condition.

You can think of it as an upgraded magic that she used to check my body grade.

For me, it is a magic spell that I haven’t used in a long time.

I felt it.

The flow of mana coursing through her entire body along with blood.

However, it wasn’t flowing vigorously.

As mentioned earlier, something ominous was obstructing its flow.

As if chains were tightly wound around her blood vessels.

“That’s it.”

With this kind of thing wrapped around her body, it’s no wonder she can’t live up to her name.

After confirming the nature of the energy, I immediately opened my eyes.

[Why? What happened?]

“Heart Curve…”

[Heart what?]

Kaeram cocked her head as if she didn’t understand.

She probably wouldn’t know.

This is one of the proud achievements of those obsessed with magic research.

“Simply put, it’s a device that suppresses human growth.”

It injects a lump of magic the same size as the target’s heart to inhibit the growth of mana.

Like tangled vines, there were dull black tendrils entwined around her beating heart.

[Suppressing growth?]

She probably wouldn’t understand.

The President Regens of the Magic Society undoubtedly has a firm goal of elevating his granddaughter to the pinnacle of magic.

To achieve this, he would have subjected her to various experiments, treating her like a test subject, to enhance her magical abilities.

Yet, an unexpected inhibitory device on her?

It’s understandable if you curse at the absurdity.

What’s amusing is that it’s highly likely the Garam Magic Society, of all entities, implanted it.

[Who planted this?]

“Obviously, the Society.”

[Why?]

They probably intended to use it not for suppression but for storage.

Keeping a gentle flow of water flowing continuously doesn’t cause any problems.

But what if that flow were suddenly blocked and suppressed?

Unable to block the natural flow, the water that couldn’t flow gradually accumulates and swells.

What happens when it’s suddenly released?

It’ll burst like an explosion.

In an instant, chaos will ensue.

The Garam Society probably desired this.

The artifact called Heart Curve suppresses the flow and growth of her mana.

Continuously injecting mana into such an unstable body.

When the state reaches its peak, releasing the inhibitory device would unleash the accumulated potential explosively.

Is it possible?

Well, I haven’t tried it, so I don’t know.

However, I know exactly what they did to achieve it.

Through dozens, hundreds of human experiments, they would have applied the most suitable route to her.

Perhaps Luna from her previous life couldn’t withstand it and died.

Strictly speaking, this wasn’t about nurturing but about breaking the vessel.

Kaeram seemed quite baffled, wearing a puzzled expression.

[Anyway, if you leave it like this, she’ll eventually die, right?]

“That’s right.”

[So, what are you going to do about it?]

I haven’t decided yet.

Actually, what Kaeram told me about telepathy wasn’t related to this.

It was just a faction opposing the Garam Magic Society who heard about her unauthorized absence and tried to disguise themselves as Society members to kidnap her.

It was a kind of petty scheme to take her to their hideout somewhere in the Garam Kingdom and experiment on her as they pleased.

Perhaps by now, the real Society members have realized the truth and are rushing over.

So, why did I help Luna?

It’s nothing special.

I just didn’t want to deal with the aftermath when the consequences came knocking after I knew about it.

After all, she was kidnapped right after meeting me, so it’s natural for the arrows to turn back on me.

If I just handle things properly and leave her safely, nothing will change.

Well, my job is done, now all I have to do is leave…

“Sigh…”

I let out a sigh without realizing it.

If that was the case, I shouldn’t have come in the first place.

With one hand, I once again manifested mana.

-Kiing

Just below the left chest, between the sternum and spine.

Plunging my hand as if into water, my mana-infused hand was drawn into her heart.

*Splash*

It’s tougher than I expected.

Like untangling vines from a tree, I roughly tore away the black tendrils encasing her heart.

*Rip*

The torn debris was immediately incinerated on the spot.

After completely removing the core of the artifact that had been attached until the end and smashing it, the revitalized heart began to stir.

[Do you know where the person who said he was not a savior has gone?]

Kaeram mocked me with rather amused eyes.

I casually replied, “I just paved the way. Nothing more.”

With the absence of the Heart Curve, her lifespan was significantly extended.

Though she may not know immediately, she will gradually sense that her body has changed. Consequently, a natural change of heart will also occur.

With extended lifespan and potential, what can she achieve?

Will she allow herself to be whittled away within the confines of the society, or will she break free and pursue a different path?

The decision rests entirely with her.

Who knows?

If she explores her own potential, she might truly fulfill the aspirations of the Society’s leader, the pinnacle of magic.

Whether the sprout becomes a flower or a tree, no one knows for sure.

* * *

“…!”

Awakening from sleep, Luna drew rough breaths as if she had just had a nightmare.

She instinctively reached for her heart, but there was no discomfort.

Instead, she felt remarkably serene compared to before she fell asleep.

After the brief moment of disorientation, Luna finally looked around.

The surroundings were cluttered with luggage, and a chilly breeze blew in from one side, indicating she was likely inside a carriage.

Just as she presumed to step outside, something outside seemed to ripple like water droplets falling.

“A barrier?”

It was a magically constructed restraining barrier.

Curiously, Luna lightly tapped the barrier with an inquisitive eye.

*Ping*

The barrier rippled like waves and promptly disappeared.

With caution, Luna stepped outside.

“Found her!”

Simultaneously, urgent cries and footsteps approached her.

Squinting, Luna recognized familiar faces—guild members.

“Are you alright, Luna?”

They immediately checked her well-being.

Luna responded somewhat dazedly,

“For now, yes.”

“Do you remember what happened?”

Her last memory was of unknown watchers casting a sleep spell on her, leaving her with no recollection until she woke up in a strange carriage.

She had nothing substantial to tell.

“Anyway, we’re glad you’re safe! We’ll explain on the way. Will you come with us? The President is waiting!”

“…Alright.”

Despite the familiar scenario from before sleep, she harbored no suspicions.

Throughout the carriage ride escorted by guild members, Luna continuously checked her condition.

Whatever had been binding her seemed to have vanished completely, leaving her with an unusual sense of freshness and a newfound inner sense of protection, rather than restraint or devourment.

“Is Grandfather very angry?”

Luna’s question left the guild members unable to answer readily.

“If you explain the reason for your outing well, I think it’ll be fine! For now, the most important thing is that you’re safe.”

Knowing well there would likely be a severe scolding upon her return, Luna wasn’t particularly fearful.

It seemed like something new, which wasn’t there before, was now protecting her…

This was a feeling of reassurance, not detachment.

* * *

The scene was neatly arranged, and through illusion magic, I had clearly left my alibi in place.

As a precaution, I had also set up restrictive barriers around the carriage, so unless a sandstorm passed through, there shouldn’t be any issues.

In other words, no one would know I was there.

However, one particularly astute individual, as if not to be fooled even by ghosts, interrogated me as soon as I returned to my room.

“Did you have some sort of itch while I was away?”

“I’m not sure what you mean…”

Leader, Silica, scrutinized me with suspicious eyes.

“You must know about Luna’s affair?”

“Of course. She went to the restroom and disappeared. I didn’t think she’d been kidnapped.”

I put on a serious face and remained silent.

The kidnapping incident had already become public within the academy.

“A magic instructor named Nella Aronis from the Academy went missing. She was a woman from the Garam Kingdom and reportedly opposed the Garam Society.”

She seemed to be referring to the gray-robed woman I had likely killed first.

“It seems she spread information about Luna to her faction. Her hasty restroom visit seems like a move to inform her allies.”

My demeanor remained consistent.

“Can you guarantee you’re not involved in this?”

Without hesitation, I replied,

“I can guarantee it.”

I wasn’t sure what was at stake.

[…..]

Kaeram watched me and the Leader with a rather displeased expression.

It was as if she wanted to intervene but had nothing to say, likely because she was an accomplice himself.

“Still, I thought you’d be exhausted from the banquet incident. You seem quite uneasy.”

Not at all.

“Since there’s still some time before the start of the next semester, I’ll give you a solo assignment.”

I was skeptical.

“A solo assignment?”

She wordlessly handed me a black envelope from her pocket.

“Haha…”

As I unfolded the envelope, all I could muster was a disappointed laugh.